Tash-Khauli Palace

The palace of the ruler of Khiva, Allakuli Khan– Tash Hovli, was built in the 19th century. Initially, it contained 163 rooms and 3 courtyards: the harem, the mehmonkhona (guest part) and the arzhona (courtroom).

It is known that the first harem was built for the wives of the khan. In the southern part of the courtyard of the harem, small iwans were built for the wives of the khan. The most ornate ivan served as a living room for the khan. Each ivan of the harem is a masterpiece of Khiva applied art. Their walls, ceilings, and columns are covered with non-repeating ornamental patterns. The majolica wall panels have a traditional blue-white-blue color, the ceilings are painted with red-brown paints. The windows are covered with copper openwork grilles.

Mehmonkhona - the square courtyard of the palace is built up around the perimeter with rooms and iwans. The aivans of the Mehmonkhon are decorated with majolica and small towers on the sides. The Arzhona (courtroom) is located in the southwestern part of the palace.

The most complex ornamental motifs are used in the decorative decoration of the palace.

The artists introduce a blue background, on which ribbons, ornate medallions and reels of poetry stand out, uniting all the panels. Magnificent ganch carvings have been preserved. The walls are decorated with shaped niches, and the longer ones are divided into separate panels. Marble carvings, copper openwork lattices – everything is subordinated to the desire to saturate the detail with relief, pattern, and make art unsurpassed. Thanks to such exquisite architecture complemented by rich decor, Tash Hovli Palace is a masterpiece of Khiva architecture of the 19th century.